Bright Horizon Therapies

12/04/2025

I need to talk about the 'Big T vs. little t trauma' framework I keep seeing.

Full transparency: This framework is still widely used in therapy. You'll see it in articles, hear it from counselors, find it in treatment centers. So I want to explain why I consider it outdated and why I don't use it in my practice.

Here's the thing—the counselling field doesn't have a unified perspective on trauma. You'll hear different definitions depending on which therapist you ask. But I want to share why I've moved away from this framework and why it matters for your recovery.

In this carousel, I break down:
What trauma actually is (spoiler: it's not the event itself)
Why the Big T/little t framework is problematic
What types of trauma we actually work with
What you deserve to know when seeking support

There's no single 'truth' in mental health. The field is evolving. But my training in EMDR, trauma-focused Internal Family Systems, and workshops with Dr. Janina Fisher and other trauma experts has taught me that this framework contradicts what current neuroscience shows us about trauma.

Your experience is valid. Your nervous system doesn't rank trauma—it responds to overwhelm. And you deserve support that honors YOUR individual experience.

I'm sharing this because you deserve to understand why different therapists might explain trauma differently—and you have the right to ask questions and choose approaches that resonate with you.

Swipe through to learn more. 👉

Want to learn more about structural dissociation, trauma and recovery? Check out my podcast Trauma Demystified and related blog post (Link in bio)

11/25/2025

For years, I felt fragmented—like different versions of myself were constantly at war.

One moment I felt strong and independent. The next, I became someone I didn't recognize. I never understood that pattern, but it felt like I was a different person entirely.

It wasn't until I discovered parts work that everything changed. I realized: I wasn't broken. I had survived.

I just shared a guest post with CPTSD Foundation about my healing journey and how parts work became the foundation of my recovery from childhood trauma.

In the article, I explore:

The science behind why trauma causes fragmentation in our minds and bodies
Common trauma-related parts—the fight part, flight part, freeze part, fawn part, and attach part
Why I needed something different than traditional talk therapy
Practical, gentle steps to start reconnecting with your inner world

One of the most profound lessons from parts work was learning that even my most difficult parts had protective intentions. Like the Japanese art of Kintsugi—where broken pottery is mended with gold—healing isn't about erasing what happened. It's about bringing curiosity and compassion to every part of who you are.

If you're feeling fragmented, disconnected from yourself, or struggling to understand why you react the way you do, this might resonate with you.

You're not broken. You survived. And you can choose to heal.

Read the full article—link below!

Send a message to learn more

11/25/2025

It often happens that we start to compare our experiences—who had it worse.

While this is a way to make sense of our experience, and while there are different shades of intensity when it comes to trauma, comparison is often not helpful for our healing journey.

I carry mine, you carry yours.

As a person who has experienced childhood trauma, I've often heard friends say something like: "I had a happier childhood than you had." This may have been true—but it's hard to compare our inner felt sense. Some of us may be diagnosed with a trauma-related mental illness, while others may not.

However, whether or not you are diagnosed with a trauma-related mental health issue, it doesn't make your experience invalid.

Throughout my recovery, I realized that I can't understand my friend's lived experience, and it's not helpful to try to understand something I never had. Though, I also noticed that I could take care of my younger parts and give them a healthy experience in the present.

All the clients I've accompanied throughout the years have had their unique recovery. This taught me to be mindful that I can't project my recovery onto others. Each person's path looks different, and that's exactly as it should be.
Your pain matters. Your healing deserves space and support—no matter what happened, how long ago, or how it compares to anyone else's story.

11/18/2025

When we grow up with childhood trauma, unprocessed emotions often hide behind an inner wall. But they don’t disappear—they wait. And when something in the present echoes an old dynamic, those emotions can surge forward, asking: “See me. Hear me.”

We can’t fully avoid activated parts—whether we’re actively healing or not. True trauma recovery is about growing the capacity to stay connected to your adult self while being with these emotions, without forcing yourself into overwhelm or avoiding everything that feels activating. It’s about balance, nervous system pacing, and learning tools that help you stay grounded when big feelings surface.

Full episode available under Trauma Demystified in the link in my bio.
Related blog post available under Healing Childhood Trauma as an Adult.

11/08/2025

Trauma vs. Complex Trauma: What's the Difference?

Not all trauma is the same—and understanding the difference can help you set realistic expectations for your healing journey.

Trauma often comes from a single distressing event. While painful, it has a clear beginning and end. With support, many people find relief through trauma-focused therapies.

Complex trauma develops from ongoing harm in relationships or environments that should have been safe. It affects identity, emotional regulation, and relationships at a deeper level—and healing requires a more layered, integrated approach.

If you've experienced complex trauma, you might notice:
A fragmented sense of self
Difficulty with trust or boundaries
Triggers that feel confusing or overwhelming
Multiple diagnoses that don't quite capture your experience
Here's what I want you to know: You are not broken. You are not alone. And healing is possible.

Recovery from complex trauma takes time. It involves:
Stabilizing your nervous system
Working with different parts of yourself
Rebuilding boundaries and self-worth
Learning to stay present in your body

The path isn't always straight, but every step forward—no matter how small—matters.

If this resonates with you, I encourage you to seek trauma-focused support that honours the complexity of your experience. You deserve gentle, informed care.
What questions do you have about trauma recovery? Drop them in the comments—I'm here.

09/04/2025

Finding calm in uncertain times

I don’t know about you, but the world feels a bit out of control right now. When the noise and stress around us build up, it can shake our sense of safety and connection.

While we can’t change the state of the world overnight, we can focus on small, grounding practices that help bring back a sense of calm and control.

Here are two that I often use and share:

5–4–3–2–1 Grounding
Look around you and gently name:
5 things you can see
4 things you can feel
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
This helps your nervous system shift away from overwhelm and back into the present moment.

Step Away from the Scroll
Disengage from social media for a while, take a short walk, or step outside. Even five minutes can help reset your system and remind your body to go back to the present.

These may seem simple, but simple is powerful when it comes to regulating the nervous system.

Which of these practices resonates most with you today?

08/11/2025

Healing Relational Trauma: What Nobody Tells You

Healing from relational trauma isn’t about fixing others — it’s about reclaiming your power.

In this honest episode, I share six core truths I’ve learned through lived experience and my work as a trauma counsellor. Healing won’t always bring perfect relationships or protect you from pain — but it can help you:
✔ Trust yourself
✔ Set clear boundaries
✔ Choose self-respect, even when others don’t

If you’ve wondered why healing hasn’t brought the relationships you hoped for, or whether it’s okay to walk away from someone you love, this episode offers grounded insights and gentle encouragement for your journey.

Listen here:

Discover six powerful truths about healing from relational trauma. Learn in this honest episode why self-respect matters for your wellbeing.

08/10/2025

Like many counsellors, I have a paid profile on Psychology Today—and I pay the exact same rate as my cisgender colleagues. But I recently noticed something concerning: their “quick filter” for gender offers only two options—male or female.

If someone chooses the quick filter without thinking (and most people do), my profile as a non-binary counsellor will be excluded. That means I become literally unsearchable—even by cisgender folks, who make up a large part of the people I work with.

I’m curious—what do you think about this? How important is it for platforms like Psychology Today to offer more inclusive options for gender identity when people are seeking support?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Send a message to learn more

07/19/2025

I’m deeply honoured to receive the GHP Mental Health Award for Leading Social Justice in Trauma Therapy Advocacy (Canada).

I don’t do this work for awards or recognition, but this moment means a lot to me. Over the past 11 years, I’ve spoken up repeatedly to advocate for social justice in trauma healing. Yet, the times I was silenced, excluded, or ignored have far outnumbered the moments when my voice sparked change. My heart grieves those losses, but still, I keep going.

My own healing journey has shown me that healing and social justice are inseparable. In today’s political climate, with increasing hatred toward trans and non-binary people, this award carries both honour and sadness. I wish more people would engage meaningfully with this vital work, but no matter what, I remain committed to the path.

This award reaffirms my mission: co-creating trauma-informed, anti-oppressive healing spaces where people can reclaim their voice, reconnect with their worth, and live with greater freedom and integrity.

Thank you to everyone who supports this vision. Together, we can keep building a healthier and more just world.

Discover my work in trauma therapy, recognized by the GHP Mental Health Award for its commitment to social justice.

06/25/2025

What does safety really mean in healing?

In this short clip, I share why safety isn’t a destination—but a journey of growth.

Tune in to the full episode to explore how your definition of safety can shift as you heal: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/how-to-create-safety-after-childhood-trauma/

04/14/2025

Is EMDR or IFS better for healing trauma?

It’s a question I hear often—and the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.

In my newest blog post, I examine EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS), two powerful approaches to healing, from a trauma-informed perspective. I share insights from my training and real-life practice, including why I believe integration is often essential, especially when working with complex or relational trauma.

Whether you're curious about recovery or want to understand these models more deeply, I hope this article brings clarity and empowerment.

Read the full post here:

Explore IFS and EMDR as effective trauma recovery models. Discover how they can transform your healing journey today.

03/06/2025

What Trauma Isn’t – Two myths that keep people from seeking the help they need.

Healing from trauma requires a specialized approach, often called trauma counseling, which integrates different evidence-based trauma treatment modalities. Many of my clients have felt stuck in therapy because traditional talk therapy didn’t fully address their trauma.

So, how do you recognize trauma? This post highlights two common myths and reveals the truth about trauma and healing.

Want to dive deeper? Check out Episode 1 of "Trauma Demystified"—Trauma & Healing: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/podcast-trauma-recovery/